Andy Welinski
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Birthday:
1993-04-27 |
Position:
D |
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Eligible for draft:
2011 |
Shoots:
Right |
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Drafted:
2011 |
Height:
6-0 |
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Acquired:
3rd round (83rd overall), 2011 |
Weight:
188 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2008-09: Welinski was a defenseman for Minnesota' s Duluth East high school as a sophomore.
2009-10: Welinski skated in 25 games for Duluth East as a junior as the Greyhounds captured the Section 7 AA championship and advanced to the state tournament. Welinski scored 5 goals with 19 assists and was +9 with 18 PMs. Welinski was selected for the Minnesota Advanced 17s and participated in the USA Hockey National Player Development Camp. He committed to attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2012-13.
2010-11: Welinski left Duluth East to play in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers. In 51 games, he scored 6 goals and added 8 assists for 14 points. In 11 playoff games, Welinski scored 2 goals as the Gamblers lost in the Clark Cup final. Welinski has verbally committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
2011-12: Welinski was named the USHL's Defensemen of the Year in his second season with the Clark Cup champion Green Bay Gamblers. He led Green Bay defenseman in scoring with 15 goals and 22 assists in 54 games and shared the team plus/minus lead (plus-35) with forwards Sam Herr and Nolan Laporte. The Gamblers rolled through the USHL regular season, winning 47 of 60 games, and defeated Waterloo three games to two in the Clark Cup Finals. Welinski was plus-eight with 2 goals and 2 assists and had 8 penalty minutes in 12 playoff games.
Talent Analysis
Welinski hardly struck you in the face with his numbers during his draft year, but coaches, scouts, teammates and opponents all raved about his potential. This year, his numbers have validated that praise. He has proven himself a fluid skater with a hard, dangerous shot and a bit of a nasty edge to his defensive game.
Future
Welinski is still in the early stages of his development but after some time at the NCAA level, he could fulfill his potential as a top-four defenseman on an NHL roster. He has likened his game to that of Jack Johnson, a puck-carrying D-man with a strong shot and a high level of competitiveness.
